Approximately 40,000 children are born with heart disease each year. There are two types of heart disease in children – congenital and acquired.

Congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease is present at birth, which includes defects such as:

Patent ductus arteriosus – abnormal blood flow in the heart

Septal defects – holes in heart

Coarctation of the aorta – narrowing of the aorta, a major heart artery

Because some heart disease is present at birth, it's important for pregnant women to have regular visits with their obstetrician and undergo prenatal testing. Virtua's maternal-fetal medicine specialists have the technology available to diagnose children's heart disease including:

Acquired heart disease

Virtua partners with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to provide pediatric cardiologists to South Jersey's children at Virtua Memorial and Virtua Voorhees hospitals. Cardiologists provide evaluations and services to expectant mothers, infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

Cardiologists provide a full range of diagnostic and treatment services for infants, children, and teenagers with from the common to the extremely complex heart problems.